GOVERNOR LINGLE APPOINTS DYLAN NONAKA AS EAST HAWAI`I LIAISON

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2006

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Big Island real estate agent and University of Hawai`i-Hilo Student Association President Dylan W. J. Nonaka to serve as her liaison to the East Hawai`i community.  Nonaka replaces Andy Smith, who moved to Kona to serve as the Governor’s West Hawai`i liaison.  The changes will be effective Feb. 1.  The previous West Hawai`i liaison, Sharron Ackles, resigned earlier this month to move to the Mainland for family reasons.

“Dylan will be an outstanding advocate for the East Hawai`i community,” said Governor Lingle.  “Through his work on the UH-Hilo Student Association as well as his service on my Council of Advisors, Dylan has demonstrated his commitment to making a difference in the community.”

Nonaka is a student at UH-Hilo, majoring in political science and economics.  He attends classes one hour a day.  He currently is the president of the UH-Hilo Student Association and previously chaired its legislative committee.  Nonaka also is the former external affairs officer for the UH-Hilo Political Science Club. 

He enrolled at UH-Hilo in the spring of 2004 after serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, which included a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

In addition to being a student, Nonaka is a real estate agent with Property Network in Kona.  He is a graduate of Konawaena High School. 

As the Governor’s liaison, Nonaka will be the official East Hawai`i representative for Governor Lingle.  He will be responsible for the operations of the Governor’s office in Hilo, which issues state identification cards and marriage licenses, as well as provides the public with information and assistance relating to state government.

Nonaka will also oversee the Governor’s East Hawai`i Council of Advisors, which holds monthly public meetings to seek community input and advise the Governor of important issues, budget priorities, and recommendations for State Boards and Commissions. 

Nonaka served as a member of the East Hawai`i Council of Advisors since July 2005 before resigning earlier this month.  

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus    
Senior Advisor – Communications    
Phone: 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043